The Catbirdseat

The Catbirdseat is an mp3 blog written and curated by 'Ryan Catbird,' originally based out of Columbus, Ohio, now based out of New York City.

The Catbirdseat is one of the earliest music blogs, alongside Fluxblog, Largeheartedboy, Chromewaves, and Said The Gramophone, but has managed to maintain an "under the radar" profile.

The site began in May 2002 as a running list of Catbird's recommended albums, a streamable/downloadable mp3 mix, and a weekly long-form review.

In September 2002, a 'News' section was added-- effectively the standard 'chronological entries' blog format. The 'News' section soon took over as the main focus of the site, with the Recommendations List becoming secondary. The monthly streamable/downloadable mp3 mix has continued since the site's inception, with a podcast version added when the format came about

In late 2003, Catbirdseat created the infamous internet meme [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/bingo.html Hipster Bingo] .

In 2004, Catbird was interviewed for Benjamen Walker's " [http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/mediaberkman/2004/05/13/blog-jockeys-2/ Blog Jockeys] " report, along with Said The Gramophone, Fluxblog, and Fruits Of Chaos. However, Catbird's portion was cut before the piece aired.

In September 2005, Catbirdseat spun off Catbird Records, a record label imprint of the blog.

The Catbirdseat provided early internet championing for many bands early in their careers, who went on to much larger acclaim, including: Band Of Horses [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000374.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, March 3, 2005.] , Beirut [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000566.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, April 5, 2006.] , Black Mountain [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000304.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, October 7, 2004.] , Destroyer, Final Fantasy, The Futureheads [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000239.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, June 17, 2004.] , Jose Gonzalez [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000268.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, August 4, 2004.] , Jens Lekman [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000128.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, December 15, 2003.] , Robbers On High Street [ [http://www.75orless.com/?/archive/2003/05/robbers_on_high.php] . 75 Or Less, Review of Robbers On High Street's Demo, May, 2003.] , Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin [ [http://www.catbirdseat.org/catbirdseat/archives/000415.shtml] . The Catbirdseat, June 2, 2005.] , and others.

References